Gaius Valerius Catullus, Carmina (ed. Sir Richard Francis Burton)
Editions and translations: Latin (ed. E. T. Merrill) | English (ed. Sir Richard Francis Burton) | English (ed. Leonard C. Smithers)
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ON A STRUMPET WHO STOLE HIS TABLETSCome, Hendecasyllabics, many as may
All hither, every one that of you be!
That fulsome harlot makes me laughing-stock
And she refuses at our prayer restore
[5] Our stolen Note-books, an such slights ye bear.
Let us pursue her clamouring our demands.
"Who's she?" ye question: yonder one ye sight
Mincingly pacing mime-like, perfect pest,
With jaws wide grinning like a Gallic pup.
[10] Stand all round her dunning with demands,
"Return (O rotten whore!) our noting books.
Our noting books (O rotten whore!) return!"
No doit thou car'st? O Mire! O Stuff O' stews!
Or if aught fouler filthier dirt there be.
[15] Yet must we never think these words suffice.
But if naught else avail, at least a blush
Forth of that bitch-like brazen brow we'll squeeze.
Cry all together in a higher key
"Restore (O rotten whore!) our noting books,
[20] Our noting books (O rotten whore!) restore !"
Still naught avails us, nothing is she moved.
Now must our measures and our modes be changed
An we would anywise our cause advance.
"Restore (chaste, honest Maid!) our noting books!"
There are a total of 28 comments on and cross references to this page.
Further comments from E. T. Merrill, Commentary on Catullus:
poem 42 (general note)
poem 42, line 1: hendecasyllabi
poem 42, line 1: quot estis
poem 42, line 13: assis facis
poem 42, line 13: lutum
poem 42, line 14: aut si
poem 42, line 15: sed non
poem 42, line 16: potest
poem 42, line 17: ferreo
poem 42, line 17: canis ore
poem 42, line 22: mutanda
poem 42, line 24 (general note)
poem 42, line 3 (general note)
poem 42, line 4: vestra
poem 42, line 5: pugillaria
poem 42, line 5: Si pati potestis
poem 42, line 6: reflagitemus
poem 42, line 8: turpe incedere
poem 42, line 8: mimice ac moleste ridentem
poem 42, line 9: Gallicani
Cross references from E. T. Merrill, Commentary on Catullus:
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*: si pati potestis
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This text is based on the following book(s): Catullus. Carmina. Sir Richard Francis Burton. trans. London. For translator for private use. 1894. OCLC: 878062
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